Dan Quonce...a man of intergrity, a man of compassion. A man of 50 years? Whoa, break out the candles and noisemakers and let's celebrate all that he has acheived!

Today my loving husband is celebrating a half of century's worth of living. For five decades he has worked hard, left legacies, and enjoyed life. But who is the guy behind that cunning smile? Let's journey into the past and and find out.

Many of you may not know this but he used to moonlight as the bass player in a rock band (good old Sneaker Star). I am lucky enought to still be able to listen to their recordings every time he blares the garage sterio.

Ever eaten the house chicken at the American Foundry? Guess who created this delicious dish. That's right, my husband did. One bite and your palate will droolling.

For those of you who already know Dan know of his love of racing. For many years he ran the Oswego Speedway, but his passion started way before that. Recognize the guy in this newspaper clipping? Yup, that's him sporting his need for speed. Not only did he win ribbons for go cart racing, but he also won trophies for tube racing at the Salmon River Run.

Let's take a look beyond his wild side to see who Dan really is. He is the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. A man who leaves love letters to his wife hidden under her pillow so that she will find them at bedtime. A stand up kind of guy who loves a little girl as if she were his own. Respectful, honest, and caring. These are the softer qualities that a great man possesses.

I would like to invite everyone in helping to make this day one of the best birthday's Dan has ever had. By leaving a comment below you can wish him a happy 50th. My goal is for him to receive one comment for each year of his life.

It's the first day of summer vacation and I awoke at 6am with my mind swirling of all the things that I needed to accomplish. For some reason my body did not get the memo that it was suppose to sleep in and start learning the meaning of relaxation. I will have to fax it over to my brain later in the day when I get a lunch break.

Do you have a summer to do list? I always create one, but sadly never if seem to be able to check off every single on it. Too ambitious or just a procrastinator, depends on if you see the glass as 1/2 full or 1/2 empty. Either way priorities always seem to take center stage and those tasks that are not life altering will get saved for a rainy day. In hopes of creating some accountability for myself, I am officially putting my honey do list here in hopes of for once that by September I can have every item checked off.

To Do List:

1)  Finish my presentation for the Delta Lake Writer's Gathering on July 5th
2)  Complete my part of the work that my friend Hope Martson needs in order to publish her next     book
3) Take a deep breath, lay in the hammock and stare at the clouds to see what pictures they make
4) Mutter through the 5 doctor's appointments we have this week, and go shopping after each one as a reward!
5) Open my notes that my Beta readers have given me from my proof book and start implementing changes
6) Wash my daughter's dance costume well in advance before her next competition date (well in advance may be a stretch, at least by the night before!)
7) Work more on my novel
8) Go camping, eat s'mores, and sing by the fire (if you are nearby, please insert your ear plugs accordingly)
9) On the first sign of rain drops, quickly grab the broom and start cleaning the house that has been ignored since summer started
10) Send the revisions on my novel back to the Beta readers for a 2nd look, eat some ice cream, and then back to the book
11) Visit the zoo, water park, and maybe even a musem
12) Meet with my writing partner
13) Repeat goal # 3, 5, 8, and 10
14) Start thinking about back to school. Hmm...maybe some more shopping???
15) Finally learn how to get the pin it button to work on Pinterest
16) If all goes well, update my query letter, send it off to an agent, and then wait with baited breath
17) Pick a day to do absolutely nothing !
18) Dig out some of my old writing and submit them to magazines
19) Go on a date with my husband
20) On the first week in September: scramble to finish everything on this list that didn't get done, find things that should have been on my list and make a mental note to put them on next year's list.

Are you a novice or an expert? Does writing seep through your veins or do you enjoy just casual journaling? Either way a writer's gathering is a great way to meet new friends, pick up some new techniques, and reflect on your own writing.


The Upstate New York Christian Writers Third Annual CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ GATHERING is being held at the Delta Lake Bible Conference Center in Rome, New York. On July 5th & 6th writers, poets, and editors will unite to share information in a relaxed environment. This event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

What will you learn while you are there?
This year a varity of seminars are being offered to fit the needs of the many different levels of writers that are amongst us. The kick off happens at 1:30 on Thursday July 5th where you can take in the keynote address (delivered by John Stumbo). Later in the day you will discover the world of self publishing (given by yours truly) and after that stay and learn about the benefits of blogging (hosted by Diane Estrella). At the end there will be a panel discussion by all of the presenters.

On Friday July 6th The Snowflake Method of Writing will be introduced and then DAVE FESSENDEN
will share concepts from his book Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract. Cheryl Potts will begin the second session of the day by talking about articles that sell and then author Hope Martson (who is getting ready to debut her 35th book very soon) will conclude the day with a seminar on writing nonfiction for children.

How can you attend?
TO REGISTER for the Christian Writers’ Gathering, mail a check for $40 with your name, address, phone number and email, by June 28 to: Debbie Tuthill, 4585 County Hwy. 14, Treadwell, NY 13846

 
Questions? Email Debbie at dtuthill@stny.rr.com, or call her at 607-829-8531

(The $40 fee covers only the cost of the seminars. To register for lodging and meals, contact the Delta Lake Bible Conference Center at www.deltalake.org.)

It seems like just yesterday I was holding this sweet little girl in my arms, teaching her to count and reading bed time stories with her. Her tiny smile would off set her long golden hair that was always tied up in ribbons and bows. I thought I could keep her this way forever, but time has a way of changing things.

Slowly, without even my realizing it, my tiny baby grew up on me. Her blonde locks darkened to chestnut layers, the hair bows made way for plain pony tials, and the little girl that once sat on my lap is now nearly as tall as I am. It's hard to believe that the beautiful young woman standing in front of me today is the same girl I brought home from the hospital tightly wrapped in a pink blanket sixteen years ago.

Happy Birthday my dear Elizabeth. May all your dreams come true, you are truly an amazing person!

Love Forever and Always,